Bob Woolmer (1948 - 2007) - Obituray
That this talented group of Pakistanis did not make it past the first round in the ICC World Cup 2007 edition, should not eclipse the giant of a man, coach and personality, we knew as Bob Woolmer.
I once met Bob, for mere moments, on the steps of PCB's headquarters at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore. Considering what had happened that day, in hindsight, I found out a lot about this foreigner who had taken the most difficult coaching job in cricket. It was mid-afternoon and I was visiting PCB on business. I saw Bob coming down the stairs, in some hurry and I said 'hi bob' on my way up, he replied with a beaming smile. We went our ways. No sooner I found out that in a news conference days before leaving for ICC Champions Trophy in India, Younus Khan had springed a surprise and refused captaincy during a press conference. Bob was returning from that event when I had seen him.
The coach was a mercurial man. They say no two practice sessions were the same bacause his ethos was that if he could make the game enjoyable for the players, the players would play more freely and naturally. His use of laptops and technology was not just a FAD. He had his method and the results are there for every one to see. He was also a media savvy man and continued to have good relations with not only the media but also with cricket fans through his website.
Bob had ties with the sub continent. Having been born in Kanpur, he understood how Cricket was followed here. He was also a student of various cultures and embraced Pakistan's too. His hospitality extended to his residence in South Africa, where Pakistani players like Shabbir Ahmad, Shoaib Malik and even Dr. Nasim Ashraf stayed during their visits to the country.
In the end, Bob Woolmer wore the green shirt with great pride, and made every effort to enhance our cricketing fortunes. We can not forget when he took over as coach in 2004 and cemented the team for great victories as in India. He was a great scholar of the game, and Cricketing world is lesser without him. Our condolences go out to his family. God bless and Godspeed Bob.
17 comments:
Bob knew that in Pakistan, youngsters do not get close to elder figures very easily. So he introduced touch football in the practice sessions as a way for the youngsters to open up to Inzimam. It was this ingenuity which will be missed.
Woolmer was a great person. I only saw him on TV interviews and every time you find him standing as graceful gentleman, soft spoken, always in control and a great cricketing mind that did many good things for cricket in general and Pakistani cricket team in particular. His passing is a great loss for the game and will leave a big gap for a long time.
May God rest his soul in peace. Ameen!
His sense of duty and commitment towards his cause will always be an example for us. If we can adopt half of his professionalism as a nation, it will be a great tribute to the man.
Bob Woolmer was a great person. He gave his life for Pakistan.
May God rest his soul in peace. Ameen!
Although BoB had good and bad sides. He may not be perfect as a coach BUT his death showed his committment to the team and love for Cricket. His death has saddened me a lot. My sympathies are with his family. I would say that whole Pakistan is Bob's family and we all equally share the grief. Bobby you were great!! You will live in our memories, always!!
Bob Woolmer was a great person.
May God rest his soul in peace. Ameen!
i haven't yet recoverd from the shock of getting out of the world cup 07 in a humilating way when i heard another disturbing and bad news regarding the death of Pakistani coach. I really felt sad hearing the news. One may differ with his contributions to Pakistani Cricket Team.But his death as a Pakistani Coach is a big setback for whole the PAKISTANI Nation. We as a Nation are sorry for his death which apparently seems a result of loosing match against a weaker opponent. This also strengthens our faith on Islam which tells its follower to never get to such a level of disoppointment. Obviously this does not make a point that we do not learn from our mistakes. Additionaly i think a game should be treated and taken as game. I will suggest that Pakistani Govt. to announce some medal/award to honour his services to the Pakistani Cricket.
Woolmer was a great as a human being. I always found him that he is Friend of Pakistan team instead of a coach. This is the reason that as Pakistani, defeat of Pakistan team has never made me as miserable as his sudden death made. But he will always be alive in hearts of Pakistani people.
When I heard the news in 2004 that Woolmer will be the next coach for pakistani till 2007 World cup, it was a very good news for Pakistan cricket as I am a very big fan of Bob Woolmer. I am very much inspired by his cricket sense and his good nature. It was my dream that Bob should coach pakistani team and it came true in 2004.
I remember that he convert South Africa a really fighting unit in 1999 World Cup. As south African cricket was at worst condition when he joined south african team.
Again I would just say one thing that he was my ideal and I am very sad at his uncertain death. We and all cricket Nations are with his family and equally share the grief. Bob we miss you a lot. May God rest his soul in peace. Aameen.
He had Been a teacher towards the pakistani team and i am sure he has gone because of the shock (Poor Performance of Pakistan team).
His services for the Pakistani Team are applaudable, and Bob would never be forgotten by the pakistani nation.
May his soul rest in peace.
I REMEMBER 1 YEAR BEFORE ON A GEO TV PROGRAM , INTERVIEWER ASKED BOB WOOLMER ,YOU REMAIN IN PAKISTAN FOR SOME LONG SESSIONS OF 6 OR 7 MONTH FOR TRAINING AND COACHIG , DO U MISSED UR FAMILY MEMBERS DURING STAY IN PAKISTAN ......BOB REPLIED THAT , MY YOUNGER SON IS OF THE AGE OF SULMAAN BUT , SO I THINK SULMAN BUTT IS MY YOUNGER SON ...I DO NOT MISS MY FAMILY SO MUCH WHEN I WAS IN PAKISTAN .....EXCELLENT MAN BOB IS
Good bye, Sir Robert Andrew Woolmer, Thanks for being a part of Pakistan.
BOB wolmer is the person who have different style of coatching he will alive in our heart forevre...hats off to u bob!!!! we all luv u !!!
May your soul rest in peace Bob, you gave us your heart and we love you for that.
I consider you to have died as a Pakistani.
Most importantly , he was a guest to the Pakistani Nation. He stayed away from his family to coach our team and died on duty. Our condolences and apologies to his family. May ALLAH bless his soul.
Bob Woolmer was a great coach and the whole world was witness to it..he was an innovator in the game..maybe he wasnt right for the paki team cuz of language problem...but it was not his fault cuz PCB hired him....and he was a great coach..and i wish pakistani public understand this..
We the Pakistani people will always be grateful to Bob Woolmer for his gentle spirit, kindness, respect shown to our country, and culture and most of all, for putting up with us. He was a coaching legend who had the misfortune of leading our mercurial players. No one deserves to go like this and not especially Bob. We will miss you Bob! May you rest in peace.
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